Atlanta Braves linked to former 2018 Rookie of the Year finalist

THE Atlanta Braves The St. Louis Cardinals are short on players in their outfield this season. With injuries to two of their three opening day starters, general manager Alex Anthopoulos must examine the team charter for answers before the MLB trade deadline on July 30.

The urgency of the situation is clear, and the team’s determination to find a solution is palpable. Plus, with left fielder Adam Duvall struggling, manager Brian Snitker, deep down, must realize that injecting more quality talent into the outfield is necessary if the team is to truly succeed in the playoffs.

In a recent Bleacher Report column, the second-ranked team in the NL East gets a quality fix before the deadline.

A’s Miguel Andújar could be an X-factor for the Braves.

Atlanta is once again turning to a trusted and longtime business partner, the Oakland Athletics, for another diamond in the rough. Like 1B Matt Olson and C Sean Murphy, Miguel Andújar has been a light in the midst of another dark season for the Athletics, who will once again be sellers at this year’s trade deadline. The A’s have the 4th worst record in MLB at 29-54. He brings a spark with his error-free fielding, 1.000 fielding percentage and outstanding .328 batting average.

Additionally, he provides flexibility both as an outfielder and as someone with experience playing first and third base during his career. A player on fire lately with his bat and the arm should surely catch the attention of the Braves, by Joël Reuter from the Bleacher Report.

“The 29-year-old resurrected his career this season, hitting .321/.347/.420 for an OPS+ of 125 with five doubles, two home runs and 14 RBIs in 118 at-bats. With club control through 2025 and an extremely team-friendly salary of $1.7 million, he could be a nice under-the-radar signing to bring some punch to a (Braves) corner outfield position. »

The former 2018 Rookie of the Year finalist behind Shohei Ohtani is back with a bang after being claimed by the A’s this offseason from the Pittsburgh Pirates. He shows the desire, hunger and propensity to play at a high level in 2024.

What more could the Braves ask for from an outfield accustomed to employing the best of the best? He and Jarred Kelenic could be the tandem the outfield needs until Michael Harris II returns and Adam Duvall finds his rhythm.

If Andújar were to join the Braves, he could form a trio of Dominican Republic natives in Atlanta joining Reynaldo López and Marcell Ozuna — all of whom appear to thrive once they arrive.